4. Apply a thin layer of gum glue to the bottom left corner of one of your frilled petals (area marked in orange). Work carefully and cleanly; take care to avoid getting glue on other parts of the petal.

7. Gently lift the first petal and tuck the second petal beneath it, once again adhering only the left side.

8. Repeat with the remaining 3 petals. Your flower should appear as pictured.

9. Using your next largest cutter, cut out 5 more petals and thin the upper edges of each petal using a ball tool, as in Step 2. Apply glue to bottom left corner of each.

10. Tuck one of these larger petals (I used orange for better visual) between two petals from the first layer. Once again, only adhere the left side. Repeat with remaining petals, alternating between large and small petals.

11. Once all petals are tucked in, add glued to the bottom right corner of each petal and glue petals down completely. Your flower should appear as pictured.

12. Using your largest cutter, cut out 5 petals. Take care to make the narrow end of each petal thick enough that a wire can be inserted into it.

13. Thin the upper edges of the petals.

14. Place petals in veiner one at a time and gently press.

15. Insert wires into bottom of petals.

16. If desired, you may use a toothpick to gently curl petal edges.

17. Lay petals over formers until dry.

18. Using floral tape, tape the five wired petals to the outside of your newly formed teardrop/petal core, slightly overlapping each one as before.

19. Congratulations! You have completed your gardenia! Before inserting your flower into a real cake, you may want to place the “stem” inside a straw to prevent contact between the cake and the wires.

I've always had trouble whenever I try to 'ruffle' the edges of flower petals. I don't know what I am doing wrong. Do you approach it from the bottom of the petal or from the edge being 'ruffled'? Mine get all jagged and look awful.

Yours are so life-like... beautiful! Thank you for the instructions and guidance. Wish me luck!